When we or someone we love begins to feel ill, most of us will go to the drug store to get something to take to feel better or call the doctor and arrange an appointment. But, when the issues plaguing us are related to our mental or emotional health, many people get skittish about seeking treatment. There are many myths and stigmas that abound regarding mental health counseling and therapy. Lotus Group offers a variety of counseling services. Don’t believe these myths and keep yourself from getting the assistance and guidance you may need.
Myth #1: Only crazy people go to counseling
Hollywood has done a magnificent job glamourizing mental illness. With movies like “Sybil,” “As Good As It Gets,” “Analyze This,” “Analyze That,” “Black Swan,” and “Girl, Interrupted” mental illness looks severe and crazy. What’s worse, the therapists in those movies often look like they are out of touch and a little crazy themselves. While there are cases that are extreme, the percentages are tremendously small.
Let’s look at a medical parallel. Do only people who are terminally ill seek medical treatment? Of course not. We go to the doctor for low grade fevers, ear infections, headaches, and indigestion. So, why should we think that only crazy (the most mentally ill) people should seek or benefit from counseling? Counseling provides about an hour a week (on average) with an objective listener, who is bound to confidentiality, who doesn’t need to talk about him-/herself. That’s better than an hour with your best friend.
Myth #2: Counseling doesn’t work
Research shows that counseling is effective. Cognitive behavioral therapy, combined with medication therapy when necessary, is shown to be the most researched therapeutic approach and shows success with many disorders. Even given the research, there are times when counseling doesn’t appear to work. In those cases, one must ask a couple simple questions. Was there a good match between counselor and client? There are times when personalities, perspectives, and approaches are a poor fit and can hinder the therapeutic process. How motivated is the client? Change can be difficult. While a client may say he/she is ready to make a change, actually taking the steps to modify behavior is very difficult. Clients often don’t anticipate the hard work it takes to change patterns of behavior that often develop over many years. Sometimes when change becomes difficult or too challenging, a client can blame the counseling and say that it doesn’t work.
Myth #3: Counseling is the same as venting
Venting, or letting out your frustrations and emotions, is a very real part of counseling. Most people need to “let things off (their) chests” in order to process experiences and identify problem areas and behavior patterns. However, research is showing that venting, if done over and over again, is actually harmful to the process of change. After a while, venting only serves to keep a wound open, so to speak. The real work of change happens after the venting is over and the client decides to do something about that which he/she is venting. Good counseling should help a client move from venting alone to a plan to change a behavior or circumstance.
Myth #4: Counseling is only for rich people
Historically, counseling was reserved for the well-to-do. It was for upper class people who could afford it. Today, counseling is much more accessible. Many counselors will have fee scales that are based on the client’s income. Medicaid and Medicare will often fund counseling for a variety of disorders and problems. Most insurance companies allow for a certain number of counseling appointments, and depending on your insurance carrier, you may only have to pay your co-pay. Many employers will also have what is called an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) where they contract with a local counselor/agency to provide employees with free counseling up to a certain number of sessions. The employers believe if an employee doesn’t seek help when stress and troubles arise, the employee will have lower productivity or higher rates of absences from work. The EAP is seen as a preventive perk for the company and its employees.
Myth #5: Counseling is only for weak people
We don’t say that going to a doctor when you have cancer or heart disease is only for the weak. We would think that suffering through those diseases without the assistance of medical professionals was ridiculous. Yet, this stigma is very powerful when it comes to diseases of the mind and heart. Counseling is not only for “weak” people. In fact, at times it takes courage to go to a complete stranger and admit one’s struggles. It takes resolution to talk about problems that don’t necessarily have a pill as a cure or have some kind of physical signs to which others will relate or give a high level of acceptance. Taking the step to seek help is a big one and one that most do not regret.
While these myths exist, hopefully they don’t get in the way of someone living a better life. The best way to bust these myths is to give it a try and go into the experience with an open mind and a willingness to share and give it a shot. Many people who take that first step are satisfied and not disappointed.